City to strictly enforce vending laws at Saints games

September 18, 2012

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Starting this Sunday, September 23, the Department of Finance in conjunction with the New Orleans Police Department will strictly enforce City ordinances relative to illegal vending laws in the Superdome area at Saints home games. Vendors who have not obtained City licenses to sell items like clothing, bottled water, alcoholic beverages and other merchandise, will be issued summonses, and will have to appear in Municipal Court.

This measure is being taken to protect the interests of the licensed business owners who have taken necessary actions to acquire valid licenses.

Prohibited activities:

Alcohol sales are strictly prohibited on city streets or public right-of-ways before and after the game;

Sales not made from a fixed place of business;

Clothing and general merchandise sales on sidewalks or public right-of-ways.

The ordinances state, in a document provided by the City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue, that sales or offer for sales in the Superdome area, without first having obtained a permit from the Department of Finance, are illegal. Also, no person can commence any business without first paying a tentative license tax and after obtaining the approval of the Department of Safety and Permits. Furthermore, vendors must remit all sales or use tax.

The strict enforcement of the vending laws will be enforced throughout the entire 2012-2013 Saints football season. Those persons seeking additional information on necessary permits and information can contact the Bureau of Revenue, at (504) 658-1600, (504)658-1666 or at revenue@nola.gov .